Low Carbon Ready

High Voltage (HV) Auto Quote

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What the project is about How we’re doing it What makes it innovative What we’re learning

Project Data

Start date:

01/09/2022

End date:

11/11/2023

Budget:

£2,919,280

Summary

High Voltage (HV) Auto Quote is a tool that automates the process of customer applications for new connections to our high voltage network. Previously, it could take weeks for a customer to receive a formal quote, this can now be achieved in minutes

What is the project about?

Applying for a new high voltage connection currently involves several manual and time-consuming steps. These applications can range from budget estimates — where customers are looking for a rough cost — to firm connection offers, which provide a more detailed and accurate quote. Sometimes, customers request multiple quotes for similar projects at different locations, a process known as “optioneering,” to determine the most cost-effective site for their development.

When an application is submitted, UK Power Networks carries out a series of assessments, including site visits when necessary, to prepare either a budget estimate or a firm connection offer. Depending on the complexity of the request, this process can take several days or even weeks. It’s time-consuming for customers and resource-heavy for UK Power Networks.

Even after receiving a quote, customers often come back with questions — particularly about the costs or the connection point — because they don’t have access to information about the nearest available network connection.

HV Auto Quote streamlines this entire process. By automating many of the steps, it allows customers to receive quotes within minutes — often without needing to involve a designer.

How we’re doing it

HV Auto Quote offers a streamlined platform that provides three levels of quotes, depending on what the customer needs.

First, there’s the Optioneering tool, which lets customers explore different locations on a map and view historical price ranges for each area. This helps them compare options and choose the most cost-effective site for their project.

For those who want a Budget Estimate, customers can enter details about their proposed development, then use the map to draw the site boundary and mark where the new substation will be located. The platform highlights nearby cables with enough capacity to support the connection, and customers can sketch a route from the substation to the preferred connection point.

If a formal Connection Offer is required, customers simply provide a few additional details, and the system automatically generates and issues the offer.

At any point, if the customer needs help, they can refer the application to a Designer, who will follow up directly to complete the process. In most cases, though, customers receive their quotes within minutes — and even when a Designer is involved, the process is still significantly faster than before.

What makes it innovative

While other networks offer tools that can generate Budget Estimates, HV Auto Quote stands out as the first to automatically create and issue formal Connection Offers. This innovation was made possible by incorporating the ability to automatically calculate traffic management requirements — such as the number of temporary traffic lights or road closures needed for the work.

What we’re learning

The project successfully met its goals by enabling self-service functionality for high voltage connection offers between 300 kVA and 1 MVA, and for budget estimates covering connections from 300 kVA up to 2.5 MVA.

During testing, HV Auto Quote consistently produced connection offers within ±10% of those manually calculated by designers. This gave us confidence that the tool can deliver reliable and consistent quotes based on the information provided by customers.

Throughout development and testing, several key lessons emerged:

  • Data availability and quality: Having accurate and accessible digital data about the network was essential for the tool to function effectively.

  • Structured approach to testing: A robust, ongoing testing process throughout the project lifecycle was critical to identifying and resolving issues early — preventing delays near the end of the project.

  • Clear user requirements and specifications: Clearly defining what the tool needed to deliver at each stage helped ensure the final product met expectations and was fit for purpose.

  • System integration: Identifying the external systems the tool needed to connect with, and planning for that integration early on, helped reduce technical issues and avoid unnecessary delays.

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